Skubal Wins 2nd Cy Young; What’s Next for Tigers’ Ace?
Well, yesterday’s news should come as no surprise: Tarik Skubal made history with his second straight AL Cy Young Award — and yet, questions about his long-term future in the Old English D are louder than ever. It’s the kind of storyline that puts the entire Tigers offseason under a microscope.
During a moment when all Tiger fans should be celebrating his achievement, it feels somewhat empty, not knowing if he’ll be “one of ours” for much longer. These are the realities of modern sports. Loyalty is fleeting, and chasing dollars— it’s become the norm across the entire landscape.
I’ve been on the fence about whether the Tigers should roll out the Brinks truck to pay Skubal. On one hand, there’s no way I want him to leave. On the other hand, rolling out $400m for one player, who only pitched past the 6th inning in 16 of his 31 starts, that’s something to ponder.
I don’t know what the Tigers, Scott Boras, or Skubal will ultimately do going forward, but for this day, let’s enjoy the award, call Skubal “our own”, and hope that whatever is decided, it’s best for the future of Detroit Tiger baseball.
A Historic Night for No. 29
Let’s start with the celebration.
Tarik Skubal didn’t just win the Cy Young — he owned it.
He becomes the first AL pitcher since Pedro Martinez (1999-2000) to go back-to-back, and only the second Tiger ever to pull it off, joining Denny McLain’s legendary 1968-69 run. Skubal captured 26 of 30 first-place votes, putting an exclamation point on a season that didn’t just meet expectations — it detonated them.
Forget the won-loss record, his numbers were eye-popping in terms of pure metrics:
- 13–6 record
- AL-best 2.21 ERA
- 241 strikeouts in 195⅓ innings
- 0.891 WHIP
- Carried Detroit to an 87–75 record and a second straight postseason trip
Pure ace stuff. Pure dominance. Pure Skubal.
A Season of Progress — and a Painful Ending
The Tigers delivered a bit of everything to fans in 2025: wild winning and losing streaks, bounceback seasons, an unbelievable number of strikeouts, and a Wild Card victory over division champ Cleveland Guardians.
But the magic ran out in the ALDS against Seattle, who edged Detroit in a five-game grinder. It was the kind of series that shows how close — and how far — the Tigers are from joining baseball’s true contenders.
Which leads to the offseason’s biggest question…
The Ace at the Center of Everything
Skubal turns 29 this month, and with only one year of team control left before he can hit free agency in 2026, the clock is very real. He’s already made it clear he wants to stay in Detroit — he loves the city, he loves the uniform, and he wants to be here long-term.
But the extension talks?
Reportedly not close.
That puts the Tigers in a tough spot. Do they step up and give him what would likely be one of the biggest pitching contracts in baseball? Or, if they don’t think a deal is coming, do they explore a massive trade while his value is sky-high?
That’s why you’re seeing everything from realistic ideas to wild internet rumors — even the Tatis Jr. type stuff. Those probably aren’t happening, but the fact those names get tossed around tells you all you need to know about Skubal’s league-wide value.
Bottom line:
This is the Tigers’ offseason storyline. Everything runs through No. 29.
Roster Moves Begin: Lange Out, Darnell In
While the Skubal drama grabs headlines, Detroit made a pair of moves Thursday that hint at an active winter ahead.
Alex Lange DFA’d
Lange, once the closer with 26 saves in 2023, never rediscovered his command or consistency. After two injury-marred seasons, the Tigers opted for roster flexibility.
A tough move, but probably the right one.
Dugan Darnell Claimed
To replace Lange, Detroit grabbed Dugan Darnell off waivers from Pittsburgh.
- 28 years old
- 3.19 ERA in Triple-A
- 63 strikeouts in 53.2 IP
- Recovering from hip surgery
- Fits Detroit’s “low-risk, high-reward arm” mold
Smart depth pickup. Not flashy, but it’s the kind of move that adds layers to a competitive staff.
A Defining Winter Awaits
The Tigers have:
- A generational ace
- A young core with postseason experience
- A roster that needs more thump
- An offseason full of possibilities and pressure
Every decision — every signing, every call, every offer — will orbit one question:
What happens with Tarik Skubal?
Whether Detroit locks him up, trades him, or plays things out, this winter will shape the next era of Tigers baseball.
And in Detroit, eras really matter. I don’t need to remind anyone, but I will—it’s been 41 years since the Tigers last won a World Series. Every decision they make affects how long this drought will continue. I, for one, am done waiting for the next championship.
Join the conversation in the Tiger Cage — where fans break down every game, every move, and what comes next for the Old English D.
Info gathered from team reports, pressers & trusted Michigan outlets — the way we always do it at Mitten Sports Talk.
Cover Image: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
